Southern California -- this just in

Expo Line's Culver City station ready to debut

The Expo Line will finally reach into Culver City this week, marking the first time rail service will serve the traffic-choked Westside since the days of the Red Car trolleys.

Transportation officials will open the Culver City station -– near the intersection of Washington and National boulevards -– beginning about noon on Wednesday following a celebration with elected leaders.

Officials opened most of the first phase of the Expo Line in late April, allowing commuters to travel 7.9 miles between downtown Los Angeles and the eastern edge of Culver City in about half an hour.